Causes: It may be due to lesions of the spinal cord above the lumbar region or to peripheral sensory irritants. It is sometimes seen in patients as a complication of sickle cell disease or leukemia. Some medications used to promote penile erection cause priapism as an unwanted, adverse effect.

stuttering p.Painful, recurrent attacks of priapism that last 2 to 6 hr. The condition is seen in some patients with homozygous sickle cell disease.